The Most Scenic Islands in Italy, Ischia

 Introducing Ischia, one of the most scenic Islands in Italy. Conde Nast Traveler recently ranked Ischia as 2^nd most scenic islands in Italy. Ischia may be less popular than Capri, but it’s also less crowded and offers much better beaches. It has a permanent population of approximately 58,000 and up to 6 million tourists. Ischia is an excellent island for everyone, providing a perfect spot for beaches, shopping and many historic sites to visit. It is situated in the hills above the sea and is nestled in a great private location.

Ischia is a volcanic island and many tourists enjoy the health benefits of its hot springs and volcanic mud. Ischia offers many different reasons to visit. Ischia is a great choice for spa vacations and for those who are interested in wellness. For the natural lovers, I recommend hiking to Mount Epomeo or visiting botanical garden. Also there are different museums or modern art galleries (If interested, please check UPCOMING EVENTS below). Last but not least, Ischia has beautiful beaches around the island. The best time for the travelers to visit Ischia is from April to October and is also a safe destination, even for women travelling alone.

*UPCOMING EVENTS*: There is a special festival even going on between August and September, called Settembre sul Sagarato. This is a festival held every year since 1988 in the village of Piazzale Battistessa, opposite the Church of San Pietro. The festival lasts for two weeks and is filled with painting exhibitions, parades of traditional costumes; wine tasting, fagiolate (bean stew tasting), concerts and shows;

Now, let me introduce Mezzatorre Resort & Spa. It is a five star resort set like a gem between the sky and the sea of Ischia on the northwestern side of the islands of Ischia, at the end of the San Montano Bay. Surrounded by seven hectares of pine wood and perched on a bluff above the sea, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa is is near the town centre of Lacco Ameno.

Mezzatorre Resort & Spa features 45 rooms and 12 suites with beautiful furnishing and modern amenities. From the hotel, guests can enjoy beautiful views from the Epomeo Mount up to the Vesuvio volcano. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa also provides swimming in the ocean, and offers many options with amazing view and privacy. I personally loved the heated seawater pool, which is set above the sea. There is also an excellent pool terrace lunchtime venue that provides excellent seafood with good local wines. 

The cuisine of Ischia by chef Giuseappe D'Abunto is top notch and provides a perfect blend of sea and land flavors. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa offers many signature local or Italian dishes; One of the most appreciated (also one of my favorite) is "Thick spaghetti with sea-urchins". Executive Chef Giuseppe D'Abundo is one of the main reasons for guests to come back to Mezzatorre. 

 Here comes my favorite part of this hotel! If you want to benefit from the well-known thermal water and muds of the island, Mezzatorre Resort & Spa’s Health & Beauty Center is a must. According to the general manager of Mezzatorre Resort & Spa, its philosophy is “Nourish your body, nourish your soul!”. They offer guests the possibility to nourish their body by means of the different health & wellness programs of their thermal spa, which prevent or cure diseases. Its offering of treatments is inspired by the salus per aquam philosophy. All the treatments provided the use therapeutic thermal water flowing at 45° from the hotel’s private spring. The treatments include mud therapy, balneotheraphy, anti-stress massages, and anti-aging facials. Guests (also one of my favorites) love the open-air massages sessions performed in the cozy gazebos with a sea view.

If you are looking for magical atmosphere, stunning setting with breathtaking views in Italy, I highly recommend Mezzatorre Resort & Spa. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa provides beautiful location with a very relaxed yet luxurious travel destination.

For 2015 Virtuoso Rate Includes:

*Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

*Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests

*A complimentary 4-course dinner for two people

*With a minimum 3 night stay guests also receive: One Themal water treatment in pool per person (value 50 EUR)

*Early check-in/late check-out

 For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, Jamie@classictravel.com  and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip. 

Mezzatorre Resort and Spa

Finca Cortesin

Ever been to Spain? For those who have - and even for those who haven't - it's not rocket science that finding a luxuriously spacious feel of a home is not so easy. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa on the other hand, is ready to give you just that. Located right on the beaches between Marbella and Sotogrande, the Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa whisks you away to "A Paradise of Privacy" in their Mediterranean lifestyle-resort.

The Finca Cortesin consists of 67 suites: the Junior, Executive, Pool, the Cortesin, and the Private Villa. Every suite in the resort comes with a terrace and a private garden or swimming pool, with a view of the Mediterranean. Unlike the three suites, the Private Villa includes four suite bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, dining room with a fully furnished kitchen equipped with the most advanced appliances, and marble bathrooms. The Private Villa is custom-made to make your stay at the Finca Cortesin just like home, but even better and more relaxing.

The dining restaurants within the resort are built on two concepts: "exclusivity and exceptional quality." They strive to cater their guests with innovative culinary experiences through its range of different themed-cuisine restaurants. The El Jardin de Lutz for example is a traditional Spanish cuisine with an interior of tall ceilings and Portuguese clay tiled and painted tiles, and an outdoor venue of a terrace with views to the Mediterranean, and gardens that are filled with 1,000 year-old olive trees. The Kabuki Raw is the hotel's signature restaurant, and is a world leader in Japanese cooking with a total of three Michelin starred-restaurants among the five that are currently open. The Kabuki cuisine is known for its orthodox Japanese dishes with the use of prime raw materials and simplicity. One of the perks for the Kabuki Raw is that guests are welcome to watch the chef at work in the kitchen as he is preparing their food.

Honestly, this is what you've been waiting for. The Finca Cortesin's Championship Golf Course opened in early 2007, one of Europe's longest layouts designed by Cabell Robinson. The Finca Cortesin Golf Course has wonderful views of the horizon with 18 scenic holes. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, the Golf Course is topped with excellent service both from the equipment available such as the buggy for transportation through the course, and the helpful and encouraging staff right by your side. Ranked in the top ten golf courses in Spain by Golf Digest Magazine in 2012, the Finca Cortesin Golf Course offers three different memberships for any and all golf lovers: Individual Membership, Family Membership, Corporate Membership, and the "Discover Cortesin" Membership (a trial period of two years).

The Memberships include perks that you won't be able to resist:

• Unlimited play on the golf course
• Priority reservation of tee times
• Free use of the practice areas
• Free access to special areas and services restricted to members
• Special rates and discounts
• Correspondence with other golf clubs around the world

With or without these memberships, the Finca Cortesin Golf Club offers several packages during all three seasons: the high, the medium, and the low.

The Golf Experience package includes the following:

• 3 or 5 nights stay in one of our Suites
• Linger over a delicious daily breakfast in our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• While checking-in you will enjoy a superb sea view and a Typical Andalucian "Welcome Drink"
• Seasons Fresh Fruit Basket & Premium Water at your arrival
• Welcome Golf Package at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and some Tees
• Fresh Country Side Flowers will be placed in the room upon arrival
• Complimentary access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer season (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Complimentary Facial Diagnosis or Corporal Diagnosis will be offered at our Spa as well as national Premium Water and infusions
• Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi connection as well as Business Facilities will be available
• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
• THREE Night Stay: 4 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 2 days)
• FIVE Night Stay: 6 Green Fees per stay in Finca Cortesin Golf Club (one per person for 3 days)

The Golfer's Dream Came True; Play the Four Finest Golf Courses in Spain package includes:

• 5 or 7 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*This package includes shared buggy in each course

Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in all courses.

Last but not least, the European Golf Experience packages includes:

• 3 or 5 nights in the selected Suite category based on double occupancy
• Fresh Fruit and Premium Water in your Suite
• Welcome Golf Pack at your Suite; 2 Finca Cortesin Caps and Tees
• Complimentary Wi-Fi connection
• Daily breakfast at our El Jardin de Lutz restaurant
• Access to our Finca Cortesin Beach Club operation during the summer seasons (approx. 6 months per year) with shuttle from and to the Beach Club included
• Access to our 2200m2 Spa
• Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Welcome drink during check-in
• Play the Classics:
• 2 Green Fee in Finca Cortesin Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in Valderrama Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in La Reserva Golf Course per stay
• 2 Green Fee in San Roque Club Old Course per stay

*Green fees should be booked in advance and are subject to availability in each course.

For beginners and those who want to increase their skill, the Nicklaus Academy located right in the resort offers lessons in an ideal learning environment for all players. The core of the Nicklaus Academy's philosophy are as follows: "how to properly deliver the club to the golf ball in such a way to start it down its intended target, then learn how to control the trajectory and distance the golf ball travels." The Academy is equipped with the latest technology to better cater to the players' needs adn to accurately deliver the right type of exercises for each person. The Finca Cortesin Hotel Golf & Spa is definitely one to consider especially with a Golf Course and an Academy on the same property!

<For 2015, Virtuoso Rate Includes>:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two in room guests
• A complimentary 50-minute massage for two people, per room, once during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

For any additional information, visit classictravel.com, or please inquire Jamie Yoo, and she will help create a personalized and fun-filled itinerary for your next trip.

유럽 여행 - 더 베스트 오브 브라질 (The Best Of Brazil)

더 베스트 오브 브라질 (The Best Of Brazil)

 

 

 

 

 리우 데 자네이루 & 이과수 (Rio De Janeiro & Iguassu)

 산과 바다, 삼바와 축제의 열기로 가득찬 도시 리우 데 자네이루로 여행을 떠나보세요. 이과수 국립공원에 위치한 럭셔리 호텔에서 머물며 정글을 체험하실 수도 있습니다.

 

 Day 1 - 2

리우 데 자네이루 (Rio de Janeiro)

 

 

리우 데 자네이루에도착하시면 코파카바나팰리스 호텔(CopacabanaPalace Hotel) 로 이동하시게됩니다. 이 럭셔리 호텔의 오션 뷰 룸(Ocean ViewRoom)에 머무시며최고급 서비스와시설, 요리를 즐기실 수 있습니다. 첫째날과 둘째날은 도심을 투어하시며 자유시간을 보내실 수 있습니다.



Day 3

리우 데 자네이루 (Rio de Janeiro)

셋째날에는 코르코바도(Corcovado) 와 구세주 그리스도상(Statue of Christ the Redeemer)을 방문하시게 됩니다. 이후에는 아름다운 경치를 즐길 수 있는 산타 테레사(Santa Teresa)지역을 보신 후 슈가 로프 마운틴(Sugar Loaf Mountain)에서 바베큐 런치를 드실 수 있습니다.



Day 4

리우 데 자네이루 (Rio de Janeiro)

넷째날에는 리우(Rio)의 역사 유적지와 아름다운 건축물을 둘러보실 수 있습니다. 그리고 특별히 이곳에서 가장 유명한 댄싱 스쿨에서 삼바 레슨을 받으실 수 있습니다.



Day 5 - 6

이과수 (Iguassu)

비행기로 포즈 도 이과수(Foz do Iguassu) 에 도착하여 호텔 다스 카타라타스(Hotel das Cataratas) 로 이동하시게 됩니다. 이 럭셔리 호텔은 브라질 이과수 국립공원에 위치한 유일한 호텔로, 이 호텔의 디럭스 룸에서 이틀을 머무실 수 있습니다. 오후에는 보트를 타고 장관을 이루고 있는 폭포의 경치를 감상해보시는 건 어떠신가요. 저녁에는 풀장 옆이나 테라스에서 저녁식사를 즐기신 후, 헬리콥터 투어를 즐기실 수 있습니다.뿐만 아니라 이과수 국립공원에서 즐길 수 있는 다양한 액티비티들이 준비되어 있습니다.



브라질 (Brazil) 또는 classictravel.com 의 다른 모든 Virtuoso 호텔들의 더 많은 정보를 원하신다면 본사의 Virtuoso Travel Advisor 인 Jamie@classictravel.com 에게 문의하세요.